Atlanta Braves Trade Shelby Miller, Get To Know The New Braves
By Fred Owens
Mar 1, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Aaron Blair (70) poses for a portrait during Photo Day at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Blair
Blair was the D’Backs second
round
pick (comp round #36) in 2013 and he moved up the system quickly reaching AA in 2014 and AAA early this year. He features a plus fastball sits in the low 90’s with good run and can can touch 95 mph.
As a compliment to that he uses a mid-80s changeup and a useful curveball that projects as a plus pitch. Blair works quickly and attacks hitters, pounding the zone and making them swing the bat.
With AA Mobile this year Bls3 air threw 83 1/3 innings striking out 64 and walking just 23 while posting a 2.70 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP.
The transition to the PCL and AAA Reno pushed up his ERA to 3.16 and his WHIP to 1.22, not unusual in the hitter friendly PCL. He did however continue to strike hitters out fanning 56 while walking 27 in his 77 IP.
Blair projects as a middle of the rotation arm. He will be 24 in May and as a seasoned college arm could well be in the rotation next year. One player who will be in Atlanta next year is Ender Inciarte.